Bikini Atoll (band)
Encyclopedia
Bikini Atoll was a post-rock
band formed in London
, though Ché Albrighton is from Jugenheim, Germany
, and Bastian Juel is from Denmark
. The band was signed to the Bella Union
label in 2004. They released two albums, Moratoria in 2004 and Liar's Exit in 2005.
, competing in the qualifying rounds. Ché Albrighton is the son of Roye Albrighton, the guitarist and vocalist of 1970s prog rock
band Nektar
. Bastian Juel moved to the UK
in 1998.
Though the band was fully formed in 1999, they didn't do any formal recording until 2002, between August and October, when they recorded the Moratoria album. This was mastered between December of that year and January 2003. They were noticed by, former Cocteau Twins
member, Simon Raymonde
and signed to his record label, Bella Union
. The album received a positive review in The Independent
, being described as "...an awesome, soul-searching slice of sprawling Americana." and the Drowned in Sound
website described the music as "...beautiful and deadly". The double-A-side release Desolation Highway/Then Amplify was runner up in NMEs Single of The Week; Desolation Highway was also used on the film My Little Eye
.
Liar's Exit was recorded and mixed by Steve Albini
in Chicago
, between 7–20 September 2004. It was then released in June 2005, again gaining encouraging reviews in both NME and Q Magazine. The single from this album, "Eve's Rib" was released in May 2005. After the release of this album, the band were invited to perform a session for Xfm
.
Bikini Atoll disbanded in October 2006. The Seifert siblings formed Joe Gideon & The Shark, Ché Albrighton is the drummer in Audioporn and Lynch Rider Lulu and Bastian Juel most recently toured with Heather Nova
.
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
band formed in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, though Ché Albrighton is from Jugenheim, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and Bastian Juel is from Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. The band was signed to the Bella Union
Bella Union
Bella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
label in 2004. They released two albums, Moratoria in 2004 and Liar's Exit in 2005.
History
Joe Gideon (real name Gideon Joel Seifert) is the older brother of Viva Seifert. Viva competed at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 as a rhythmic gymnastRhythmic gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals or teams of competitors manipulate one or two pieces of apparatus: rope, clubs, hoop, ball, ribbon and Free . An individual athlete only manipulates 1 apparatus at a time...
, competing in the qualifying rounds. Ché Albrighton is the son of Roye Albrighton, the guitarist and vocalist of 1970s prog rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Nektar
Nektar
Nektar is a 1970s English progressive rock band originally based in Germany.- History :The band formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1969, members included Englishmen Roye Albrighton on guitars and vocals, Allan "Taff" Freeman on keyboards, Derek "Mo" Moore on bass, Ron Howden on drums, and Mick Brockett...
. Bastian Juel moved to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1998.
Though the band was fully formed in 1999, they didn't do any formal recording until 2002, between August and October, when they recorded the Moratoria album. This was mastered between December of that year and January 2003. They were noticed by, former Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
member, Simon Raymonde
Simon Raymonde
Simon Philip Raymonde is an English musician and record producer. He is the son of the late arranger and composer, Ivor Raymonde.-Career:...
and signed to his record label, Bella Union
Bella Union
Bella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
. The album received a positive review in The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, being described as "...an awesome, soul-searching slice of sprawling Americana." and the Drowned in Sound
Drowned in Sound
DrownedinSound.com or DiS is a UK based music webzine financed by artist management company Silentway . The site is an editorially independent music website.-History:...
website described the music as "...beautiful and deadly". The double-A-side release Desolation Highway/Then Amplify was runner up in NMEs Single of The Week; Desolation Highway was also used on the film My Little Eye
My Little Eye
My Little Eye is a 2002 British horror film directed by Marc Evans about five adults who agree to spend six months together in an isolated mansion while being filmed at all times. The idea for the film came from reality television shows such as Big Brother...
.
Liar's Exit was recorded and mixed by Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, between 7–20 September 2004. It was then released in June 2005, again gaining encouraging reviews in both NME and Q Magazine. The single from this album, "Eve's Rib" was released in May 2005. After the release of this album, the band were invited to perform a session for Xfm
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
.
Bikini Atoll disbanded in October 2006. The Seifert siblings formed Joe Gideon & The Shark, Ché Albrighton is the drummer in Audioporn and Lynch Rider Lulu and Bastian Juel most recently toured with Heather Nova
Heather Nova
Heather Nova, is a Bermudian singer-songwriter and poet. She has released eight full-length albums and has found lasting success in Germany where two of her albums South and Storm have made their way into the Top-5 of German official album chart.-Biography:Heather Nova was born in Bermuda...
.
Albums
- Moratoria (February 2004) Bella UnionBella UnionBella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
- Liar's Exit (CD and LP) (6 June 2005) Bella UnionBella UnionBella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
Singles
- "Desolation Highway/Then Amplify" (January 2004) Bella UnionBella UnionBella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
- "Cheap Trick" (June 2004) Bella UnionBella UnionBella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
- "Eve's Rib" (CD and 7") (23 May 2005) Bella UnionBella UnionBella Union is an independent record label that was started up by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie in 1997.After releasing records with 4AD for a large part of their career, Cocteau Twins decided to take a step towards independence and started up the Bella Union record label, through which they...
External links
- [ Profile] at Allmusic
- Live review on BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
website - Moratoria review by UncutUNCUT (magazine)Uncut magazine, trademarked as UNCUT, is a monthly publication based in London. It is available across the English-speaking world, and focuses on music, but also includes film and books sections...
magazine